Named after Nathan “Nearest” Green, the former slave who’s credited with teaching Jack Daniels how to distill, Uncle Nearest 1856 is a sourced Tennessee whiskey – which they’ve been upfront in disclosing. They have some of their own whiskey which is their Silver Whiskey that they, or someone they’re contracting with, has distilled and will be on the market in the future, but for now they’re an undisclosed NDP.
In Uncle Nearest’s Words: Uncle Nearest 1856
“It is our Silver whiskey that will become our Aged after a minimum of seven years. As we still have time before our silver turns to gold, we are working with two local distilleries still making Tennessee whiskey the way Nearest made it intricately by hand, placing it in the barrel close to the same 110-proof Nearest was known for, and pouring it out at just the right age, taste and color for a surprisingly smooth finish.”
When it comes to a place like Tennessee you don’t exactly have too many options of where you can get fully matured whisky at scale. Your options are really George Dickel (which this definitely tastes like), Prichard’s (which I’ve never had) and Jack Daniels (which doesn’t sell it’s barrels to NDPs). Looking at this playing field it looks like Uncle Nearest 1856 is likely a combination of Dickel and Prichard’s. Though based on the experience outlined in the Uncle Nearest 1856 review below I’d say it’s mostly Dickel.
Uncle Nearest 1856 Info
Region: USA
Distiller: George Dickel & possibly Prichard’s… but definitely Dickel
Bottler: Uncle Nearest
Mashbill: 84% corn, 8% rye & 8% malted barley
Cask: New Charred Oak
Age: NAS
ABV: 50%
Price: $60
Uncle Nearest 1856 Review
EYE
Toffee
NOSE
Toasted sesame seeds, oak, corn, caramel, cinnamon, vanilla and a bit of olde candy.
PALATE
Toasted sesame seeds, oak, toffee, cinnamon, vanilla, nuts and some olde candy.
FINISH
Medium fade of toasted sesame seeds, cinnamon, oak and vanilla sweetness.
BALANCE, BODY & FEEL
Ok balance, round body and a soft easy feel.
OVERALL
I really enjoy the toasted sesame note in this Uncle Nearest 1856, but I wish it was a bit less. It’s one of my favorite flavors when I’m cooking and to get it in a whiskey is fun, I just wish it didn’t dominate the way it does. By no means is there anything massively wrong with the whiskey, but if this is indeed a blend of two distilleries like they state then it’s a bit of an odd blend for sure.
The dominant character of the whiskey is toasted sesame seeds, to a surprising degree, but the underlying structure and corn driven character is undeniably George Dickel. This is a good whiskey for what it is, but I have to wonder why they mixed Dickel and another – likely Prichard’s – whiskies together. Could be a reason of supply or could be a reason of trying to make something different or new. If it’s the latter they definitely succeeded there.
SCORE: 84/100 (B)
*Disclosure: This Uncle Nearest 1856 was graciously sent to me by the company for the purposes of this review. The views, opinions, and tasting notes are 100% my own.
Uncle Nearest 1856 Review - Score Breakdown
Summary
Uncle Nearest 1856 is good. It’s different and dominated by roasted sesame, but it’s good.
Overall
- Nose - 85
- Palate - 86
- Finish - 84
- Balance, Body & Feel - 83
User Review
( votes)
Certainly Interesting
Josh this has been popping up everywhere lately here in New Jersey. I couldn’t find the Wilderness Trail I was looking for so I grabbed this instead. I did get the toasted sesame seeds you mentioned, and as the other notes faded away that is all that remained, seemingly forever. All in all it is a fine whiskey and far better than JD, but not bourbony enough for me. I wonder how it would do in an old fashioned…
Thanks for sharing Tony! I think it makes a decent Old Fashioned, but I tend to like it more in a Manhattan. Something about the nuttiness hitting the dark fruity sweetness that works well. Cheers!
What misuse of the term snowflake? The abolitionist term which it originated from as people opposed to slavery or the fight club term of a weak sensitive person? Maybe the Trump term of how to make liberals mad. Either way the term can’t be misused because the original meaning is anyone opposed to slavery. I’m guessing this person used it in the fight club meaning which would make it proper. Anyway. Uncle nearest whiskey is fantastic and yes they have acknowledged that he taught Jake how to make whiskey.
Thanks for the reviews. The 1856 was tasted a few years ago. Pricey , but worth it. I had two bottles. The shipping cost was what got me.Lesson learned (California shipping). The taste was great, sweet, strong. My kind od whiskey.
Awesome, thanks for sharing. Cheers!
Stronger than I thought.
I just tried Uncle Nearest, man oh man, that is some good, old fashioned, Tennessee whiskey. To me, taste much better Jack. Much stronger and I truly enjoyed everything about it. I switched over to Evan Williams because Jack wasn’t cutting it for me anymore. Now, I have a new favorite whiskey, Uncle Nearest.
Thanks for sharing, cheers!
Nice post. I learn something totally new and challenging on websites I stumbleupon everyday.
It’s always useful to read articles from other writers and use something from other sites.
But is it really TN whiskey? The label only says it’s Whiskey.
From what I understand the first batch(es) are, supposedly, just George Dickel barrels. I’ve been told more recent batches are a blend of whiskeys from TN, KY and IN. I guess they left off the state to make it possible for them to do what they want with what they can find… changing it to just say USA. Cheers Wade!
I stand corrected JD does mention Uncle Nearest.
I love the way some story is concocted to sell booze. Just write “Legend has it” and it suddenly makes it true. Funny how that story isn’t told at the JD distillery. Maybe because it ain’t true. Josh I do appreciate your site though sir. I do wish you would do a review on JDSB and JD27. I think these two are pretty interesting.
It wouldn’t exactly be in the distilleries best interest to tell that story. Same way George Dickle tells a 1/2 bullshit story and Maker’s Mark tells a 3/4 bullshit story. They tell the story they want to tell, not always the real story, it’s all marketing. As for the JDs, Someday I’ll get to them :)
The stories are true. You can see the gentleman who not only helped create the formula but taught many of the distillery workers their jobs in official Jack Daniels photos. He’s the only african-american employee in any photos. I know this breaks the hearts of some snowflakes, but it’s true and for obvious reasons (risk of financial claims from his family, a slow progression towards racial equality in America) his story isn’t told in official history.
Your misuse of the word “snowflakes” undermines any credibility you may have had. And who really cares what the backstory is as long as the whisky is good.